Today’s passage: Luke 18:1-14
Helpful thoughts:
- This unrighteous judge gave the woman what she wanted for his own benefit. God proactively loves his children. Instead of being annoyed by us, He tells us to draw near to Him in prayer!
- God gives justice. He will give us what is right, which may not always be what we want.
- The Pharisee and the tax collector were both sinners. Only one of them realized it…and that man went home justified.
Questions to consider:
- In what way(s) were the unrighteous judge and the Pharisee similar? What was most important to them? How did they view other people? Who didn’t they fear?
- What justices should we be praying fervently for? Do your prayers contain more matters of justice and glory or prayers of self-interest, self-promotion, and an avoidance of any hardship? Do your prayers look more like the prayers of the Pharisee, the desire of the unrighteous judge (“Make this woman stop bickering”) or the prayer and appeal of the woman and the tax collector?
- What must the elect come to know before they know to ask God for mercy? How has God provided justice for the elect through Christ? Why would our justification at the cross give God all the more reason to pursue our good to the end?